For five decades, the Toronto International Film Festival has transformed the city into a stage where restaurants can be just as Hollywood-heavy as the red carpets. If you’re hoping to dine beside A-listers grabbing discreet dinners between TIFF screenings or cocktails after press events, hit up these six stellar restaurants for show-stopping dishes and — if you’re lucky — some very famous company.
Abrielle
Located a short walk from the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Abrielle is primed to be one of the festival’s most talked-about tables. It’s inside the Sutton Place Hotel, an official TIFF hospitality partner that’s welcomed the likes of Brad Pitt, Sylvester Stallone and Sophia Loren in past years. On Sept. 4, Abrielle will host the Toronto Life and Hello! Canada Hollywood North kickoff party, a go-to event for red carpet regulars and industry insiders. Abrielle matches the glitz with substance, serving vibrant Mediterranean plates like spiced-honey halloumi, shrimp spaghettoni and whole sea bream with sofrito, alongside a sharp wine list that highlights bottles from female winemakers and estate holders. Maybe you’ll catch Scarlett Johansson or Jacob Elordi at the next table or, at the very least, you’ll be just as starry-eyed about the food. Sutton Place Hotel, 355 King St. W. abrielle.ca
Chances of spotting a celeb: 9/10
Mimi Chinese
This Michelin-recognized hot spot on Davenport has serious TIFF star-spotting potential, thanks to both its location and reputation. Its Yorkville-adjacent setting — nearby hotels like the Four Seasons, where many VIPs stay — puts it right in the middle of the action. Mimi draws steady hype for its inventive Chinese dishes like the dramatic Four Foot Belt Noodles and the tongue-tingling Hidden Crispy Chicken. A new four-course tasting menu spotlighting regional flavours gives big names even more reason to book a table. The sleek, dimly lit dining room has the kind of moody, tucked-away vibe the TIFF crowd gravitates toward, plus it’s already proven its star pull: Kim Cattrall and Lauren Graham have both been seen dining here. 265 Davenport Rd., mimichinese.com
Chances of spotting a celebrity: 7/10
Minami
The King West sushi staple is rolling out the red carpet with several TIFF menu items, like the Golden Anniversary Sour — a cocktail made with Redbreast Irish whiskey and white miso honey. Pair it with Wagyu skewers served sizzling on a hot stone or A5 Wagyu tartare crowned with Volzhenka Osciètre caviar for a dinner as refined as the guest list. Celebs like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Cate Blanchett have already dined beneath Minami’s award-winning design elements, which include a mural by Japanese artist Hideki Kimura and an arched, backlit glazed screen that bathes the room in a cinematic glow. Perfectly perched between the TIFF Lightbox and Roy Thomson Hall, this one’s set to draw some major A-list energy. 225 King St W Suite 100, minamitoronto.com
Chances of spotting a celeb: 8/10
Portland Square
INK Entertainment’s venues are no stranger to celebrities, with stars like Andrew Garfield and Meryl Streep frequenting restaurants like Beso by Patria and Akira Back. So it’s no surprise that their new multi-level dining concept, Portland Square, which opened in late July, is drawing attention this TIFF. Jessica Chastain and Lucy Liu have already turned up at Primadonna, the kitschy fourth-floor Italian restaurant that pays homage to mobster legends and mob-wife glamour. One floor down, Honey Chinese serves nostalgic Canadian-Chinese dishes and tea-infused cocktails in a plush, softly lit room that practically begs for after-party selfies. With INK’s track record and a few big names already through the door, Portland Square is shaping up to be one of TIFF’s most-watched new openings. 600 King St. W., portlandsquareto.com
Chances of spotting a celeb: 8/10
Enigma
Enigma, Yorkville’s swish Michelin-starred dining room, has previously drawn celebs like Jeff Goldblum and Simu Liu. With star-favourite stays like the Hazelton just steps away, the odds of more VIP appearances during TIFF are high. Chef Quinton Bennett’s genre-bending seasonal menu is offered as a multi-course tasting in the glittering dining room or as fancy à la carte bites in the lounge — think barbecued capicola with quince jam or Nova Scotia lobster tempura. To toast the festival, Enigma is serving two limited-edition cocktails: The Red Carpet, a clarified milk punch inspired by red velvet cake; and the Yonge & Famous, a bubbly mix of cognac, icewine and champagne. With its Michelin cred and Yorkville buzz, expect Enigma’s guest list to rival TIFF’s biggest premieres. 23 St Thomas St., enigmayorkville.com
Chances of spotting a celeb: 9/10
Reign at the Fairmont Royal York
With a history as storied as TIFF itself, the Fairmont Royal York and its flagship restaurant, Reign, are a fitting place to celebrate the festival’s 50-year legacy. The landmark hotel remains a favourite among visiting stars — Jennifer Aniston and Leonardo DiCaprio have reportedly both made appearances here — and this year, it’s marking the milestone with a film-inspired tasting menu. At Reign, the headliner is beef tenderloin Rossini topped with seared foie gras and truffle jus, served alongside a smoky riff on a Martinez cocktail that channels old-school sophistication. For more festival fare, Library Bar is serving a Godfather-inspired cocktail paired with venison tartare and cannoli shell, while Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails is offering the Ocean Jewel, a decadent plate of tuna tartare, sea urchin and caviar. 100 Front St. W., reigntoronto.ca
Chances of spotting a celeb: 9/10
